Match-box.



Patented nee. 2, m02.

P. SEILER. MATCH Box. (Applicaiorn med Hay Q9, 1902.)

(No Model.)

iwf/@JMJ 2o box or case which cannot open when in the 3 SQ ed by bending parts of the side walls a' and PIIILIPP SEILER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ALEXANDER M. V. SCHERMERHORN, SAMUEL S. BUTLER, AND LUKE I. WILSON, AOF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

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SPECIFICATION formngrpart of Letters Patent No. 714,749, dated December 2, 1902. lApplication filed May 29, 190.2. Serial No. 109,434. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIPP SEILER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the saine, reference beinghad to the accompany- 1o ing drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this speciiication.

This invention relates to improvements inY boxes, and is shown more particularly em- I5 bodied as a match-box, though obviously the same is adaptable foruse as a cigar or cigarette case, card-case, stamp-holder, and for many other purposes The object of the invention is to provide a pocket, but which is so constructed as to be readily opened with one hand when desired. The construction is cheap, strong, and durable, and the case presents an attractive ap- 2 5 pearance. H Theinvention consists in the matters hereinafter described, andmore fully pointed out and deiined in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective 3o view showing the box closed. Fig. 2 is a similar perspective view showing the cover slid to its releasing position. Fig. 3 is also aperspecive view showing the box open. Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section taken through the lock or latch with the box closed.

4 As shown in the drawings, said case and the cover therefor are constructed of stamped or pressed metal. The box comprises a bottom portion A, having integral side walls a a and. 4o one end wall a2, as shown in Fig. 3, and having one" of its ends open.`

B indicates the cover, hinged to the side Wall a' and provided ou its margins with integral anges forming the end wall b, adapted to close the open end of the box, and a side wall b', adapted to close over the side wall a. The side or margin of the cover opposite the side wall b is hinged to the margin of the side wall a', said hinge, as shown, being constructof the margin of the cover over a pintle d3.

Said parts forming the hinge are of such relative size and width as to permit the cover B to slide longitudinally of the box portion. In the iianged side wall a is provided a down- 5 5 wardly-opening notch, which is extended at its bottom toward the end wall a2, providing a forwardly-directed tongue of metal a4, integral with the side Wall, and which is notched on its under side to receive the inwardly- 6o turned hook or catch b2 on the lower margin of the flange b' of the cover. Within the box is provided a plate C, having dow'nturned edges c c', which fit closely between the sides `a a' of the box and afford means for securing 65 the plate in position either by soldering, in-

denting, or otherwise. The width of the flanges c c is sufficient to hold said plate flush with the upper edges of the side walls of the box. Near the hinge said plate c is slitted 7o longitudinally, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, providing a narrow tongue c2, which is bent upwardly and forms a leaf-spring, which is pressed downwardly when the box is closed.

The operation is as follows: When the cover 75 is closed down over the box, the hook b2 enters the notch in the top of the side wall a, the inclined end of the tongue 0,4 acting to force the cover forwardly with respect to the box. When the cover is retracted toward the 8o closed end of the box, slipping the hook b2 into the notch in the under side of said tongue, at which point the ends of the box and cover coincide, as shown in Fig. l, the spring pressing upwardly on the cover acts to retain said hook in said notch. Should it now be desirable to open the case, it may be held in one hand and downward'and longitudinal pressure applied to the cover with the thumb. `As shown, a boss h3 is provided cen- 9o traily on the cover to receive the pressure of the thumb in opening the box, though obviously the same is not necessary for the successful operation of the device. Said pressure forces the cover downwardly against the spring cZ and longitudinally of the boxsufiiciently to permit the hook b2 to register with the upwardly-opening part of the notch in the side Wall. If the pressure is now released, the spring c2 acts to force the cover upwardly, roo

as shown in Fig. 3, exposing the contents of the box.

Obviously details of construction may be -varied without departing from the principles hinged thereto and slidable longitudinally thereof and having a iianged end adapted to close said end of the box and a catch on said cover adapted to engage in a recess in one of the box sideswhen the cover is fully closed.

3. The combination with a box having one open end, of a cover provided with an end lange adapted to close said end when the cover is closed, and hinged laterally of and slidable longitudinally with respect to the box and a catch on the cover opposite the hinge, adapted to engage beneath an integral tongue on the box side and a cover-plate iiush with the top of the box and aspring thereon adapted to throw the cover open when the catch is released.

4. The combination with a pressed-metal box having one open end, of a rigidly-secured plate secured therein flush with its top and extending for a part of its length, and a longitudinally-slidable cover hinged to the side 'of the box, a marginal flange on said cover when in its closed position forming part of' the end wall of the box and inter-fitting parts on the cover and box whereby in opening the box the cover is pressed downwardly and slid longitudinally of the box and a spring within the box acting to throw said cover open.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PHILIPP SEILER. Witnesses:

C. W. HILLS, GEO. FAILING. 

